Justice Kemal Pasha Apologises For Video On His YouTube Channel Containing Remarks Against Chief Principal Secretary
Justice (Retd.) B. Kemal Pasha has issued a letter expressing regret over the publication of two videos on his YouTube channel titled “Justice Kemal Pasha Voice”, in which he made adverse comments against Dr. K.M. Abraham, IAS (Retd.), the present Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Kerala.
The apology came following a legal notice issued by Dr. Abraham through his counsel, alleging that the statements made in the said videos were defamatory and constituted criminal offences.
In the notice, it was alleged that between April 11 and April 30, 2025, Justice Pasha published content on the aforementioned YouTube channel, calling Dr. Abraham a “wild thief” and a “corrupt villain” in Malayalam. The notice stated, “These statements are not only untrue and unverified, but are clearly designed to malign my client and tarnish his impeccable reputation.” It was further stated, “Your repeated use of degrading and vitriolic terms… has no foundation in fact or law and is aimed solely at defaming my client.”
Referring to a private complaint against Dr. Abraham filed in 2016, which had been dismissed by the Special Court after a preliminary vigilance inquiry found no wrongdoing, the notice emphasized that while the High Court had ordered a CBI investigation, “it has not made any finding against my client.” It was alleged that despite knowledge of this, Justice Pasha published videos implying guilt. The notice asserted, “The defamatory statements made by you, especially given your previous position as a Judge of the Hon’ble High Court, have caused serious harm to the reputation and dignity of my client.”
The notice also demanded an unconditional apology “in the exact language approved in advance by my client” and threatened civil and criminal proceedings for 2 crores in damages if the demands were not met.
In his reply dated May 21, 2025, Justice Pasha stated, “As a person fighting against corruption, I earnestly believe that a person obtaining a post retirement job under the Government should avail only pay minus pension… I criticized them and strongly reacted against it. When I heard that the very same procedure is being adopted by your client… I became deeply disturbed.”
He further stated, “Again, when I heard about the case of amassment of wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income when he was in service, and his explanations in the case regarding it, I genuinely thought that he is highly corrupt.” Clarifying that he did not intend personal malice, Justice Pasha wrote, “It is true that I was in fact actuated by the above belief and I had failed to consider its repercussions… I do not want to have a confrontation with your client in the matter. As and when I came to know about your notice, I removed those videos from the YouTube.”
Expressing remorse, he said, “I hereby express my deep regret in making and publishing the said videos. I have already removed it from the YouTube and nobody including me can view it anymore.” He concluded by requesting Dr. Abraham to accept his regret and assured that no further statements would be made against him. “You may further inform him that I will not create or publish any videos or articles against your client in future,” the letter stated.
Pertinently, on May 3, 2025, the Supreme Court stayed the registration of an FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Dr. Abraham in a case alleging corruption and possession of disproportionate assets. The Court observed that the matter required deeper examination and issued notice in the Special Leave Petition filed by Dr. Abraham challenging the Kerala High Court’s direction for a CBI probe.
Justice Kemal Pasha was elevated as a Judge of the Kerala High Court in January 2013, while he was the Registrar General of the High Court, and he retired on May 24, 2018. Earlier, the retired Judge had said that Christians in Kerala are earning money from Islamic Gulf countries to spread islamophobia in Kerala.
